Program device for producing time signals and the like

ABSTRACT

A program device for producing time signals and the like according to a program wherein an endless tape is mounted in a cassette which endless tape is adapted to be moved frame by frame by a sprocket wheel cooperating with a clock and formed with signal producing apertures in accordance with a timetable. When an associated operation lever is received in any one of the signal producing apertures, it closes a micoswitch to render external signal producing means operative.

[151 3,675,415 [4 1 July 11,1972

United States Patent Sato [541 PROGRAM DEVICE FOR PRODUCING 3,246,4634/1966 Dorig...............................t.......58/1$0 TIME SIGNALSAND THE LIKE 3,437,767 4/1969 ....200/46 x [72] Inventor: lei] Soto.Kanagawa, Japan Primary Examiner-Richard B. Wilkinson [73] Aasignee:Ammo Corporation, Yokohama, Japan Assistant Examiner-Lawrence R FranklinAttorney-Kelman 8t Berrnan [22] Filed: March 29, I971 [57] ABSTRACTproducing time signals and the like acwhereinanendlestapeismountedinaeaetapeiaadaptedtobemovedl'rame by [2i] Appl. No.:

cooperating with a clock and formed with signal producing apertures inaccordance with a timetable. When an associated operation lever isreceived in any one of the signal producing apertures, it closes a h torender external signal producing means operaama .w v. m p

A m mmmmm a am ay mjmm n Mme "M Wwm W H T2 M w a mm mm m mw w tive.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,482,615 9/1949Fowler.....................................58/I49 7ClalmQDr-awhI-fiuuPATENTEUJUL 11 m2 3,575,415

SHEET 2 or 2 FIG. 5. FIG. 6.

INVENTOR. RM J 1 S a. *0 BY AGENTS PROGRAM DEVICE FOR PRODUCING TIMESIGNALS AND THE LIKE This invention relates to a program device forproducing time signals and the like which incorporates a cassettecontaining therein an endless tape or other information medium and whichis adapted to cooperate with a clock for producing time signals atpredetermined intervals.

Heretofore, a variety of devices has been developed and put to practicaluse for announcing the commencement and close of work by means of buzzeror siren or starting or shutting off machines at predetermined times.Conventional devices all have disadvantages in that they are complex inconstruction and large in size. This is mainly because there are 1,440minutes in a day so that no less than l,440 signal producing members arerequired for producing signals in minutes in cooperation with a clock.

In one type of device known in the art, signal producing pins areattached in suitable positions to the outer marginal portion of a discwhich cooperates with a clock. The construction of this disc must haveits outer marginal portions divided into l,440 sections if one completerevolution of the disc is to represent the elapsing of one day. It willbe evident that a device using such a large disc is inconvenient tohandle and not suited to practical use.

This invention obviates the aforementioned disadvantages of the priorart. The invention has as its main object the provision of a programdevice for producing time signals and the like which uses as a signalproducing member an endless tape or other information medium which hasnot hitherto been used in devices of the type described, and which issimple in construction, low in cost and adapted for use in manyapplications.

An important object of this invention is to provide a program device forproducing time signals and the like which is constructed such thatinterchangeable cassettes. each containing an endless tape or otherinformation medium can be used with the device so that, when timesignals, for example, are desired to be produced at different times insummer and winter, different programs for production of time signals indifferent manners depending on the season or the like can beincorporated in endless tapes in different cassettes, or when work isdesired to be carried out by changing its operation steps, for example,the work can be programed in different manners in endless tapes indifferent cassettes, whereby plans can be changed readily by merelysubstituting a new cassette for the cassette in use.

Another object of this invention is to provide a program device forproducing time signals and the like which permits to produce two or moredifferent types of signals by using one device.

Another object of this invention is to facilitate the programming byusing a commercially available 8 mm. movie film as an endlessinformation medium.

A further object of this invention is to provide a program device forproducing time signals and the like wherein safety means are providedfor preventing the switch on the signal producing means from beinginadvertently turned on when no cassette is received in the device.

In order to accomplish the various objects set forth above, thisinvention first provides a tape or other information medium woundendlessly on a spool rotatably mounted in the interior of a cassette.The tape may have a length such that it is sufficiently great to coverthe operation for one day or onehalf day, but it preferably has a lengthgreat enough to cover the operation for 1 day or 1,440 minutes. The tapeof such length is not so great in size as will subsequently bedescribed, because it corresponds to a movie film made up of 1,440frames. Since such a tape is wound in roll form on the spool asaforementioned, the end of obtaining a compact overall size in a programdevice can be obtained.

The endless tape is formed with a large number of tape advanceperforations arranged length wise of the tape in one marginal portion,the perforations being spaced from one another equidistantly, and anumber of signal producing apertures arranged lengthwise and disposedadjacent the row of tape advance perforations. The teeth of a sprocketwheel cooperating with a clock through the agency of a gearing areengaged in the tape advance perforations, so that the tape is advancedframe by frame as the clock operates. In this connection, it will beevident that, if the device is set such that the tape is advanced by thesprockets wheel one frame or a distance corresponding to the spacingbetween two tape advance perforations in one minute, the roll of tapewill be reduced in size as aforementioned. It should be noted that theendless tape used in this invention is fon'ned with the tape ad vanceperforations as aforementioned. This eliminates the trouble of preparingtape for exclusive use in this device and pennits to use a commerciallyavailable 8 mm. movie film. The endless tape is wound on the spool of acassette subsequently to be described, and the tape is wound such thatthe innermost convolution of the roll of tape is drawn out and wound onthe outermost convolution of the roll of tape, so that the tape can beused continuously without requiring rewinding.

The aforementioned sprocket wheel is constructed such that a part of itextends outwardly through an opening generally formed in the bottom ofthe cassette. The portion of the tape engaged by the sprocket wheel ispassed between the sprocket wheel and the opening so that the outersurface of the tape is exposed through the opening in the bottom of thecassette. in order that time signals may be produced by using thecassette of endless tape constructed as aforementioned, it is necessaryto insert the cassette in a cassette receiving portion of the device.Disposed on the clock side of the device are a switch for operatingsignal producing means, an operation lever responding to the signalproducing perforations to turn on said switch, and a safety lever whichis effective to prevent the signal producing means from being renderedoperative inadvertently when no cassette is attached to the device.

The sprocket wheel operates such that, when the cassette is inserted inthe cassette attaching portion of the device, a gear mounted on the sameshaft as the sprocket wheel for rotation in conjunction with thesprocket wheel is brought into meshing engagement with an intermediatedrive gear on the clock side of the device, so that the sprocket wheelcooperates with the clock for angular rotation to advance the tape at arate of one frame per minute. Simultaneously as the cassette is attachedto the device, the safety lever is pushed and moved pivotally to unlockthe operation lever so as to render the same free. in this state, theoperation lever still keeps the switch of the signal producing means inan off position; the switch is not turned on till the forward end of theoperation lever is received in one of the signal producing perforationsformed in the endless tape. The operation lever is constructed such thatits forward end resiliently engages the surface of the tape advanced bythe sprocket wheel. The operation lever keeps the switch of the signalproducing means in an off position when its forward end is maintained incontact with the planar surface of the tape without being received inany one of the tape advance perforations. From the foregoing, it will beappreciated that, by fonning the signal producing apertures in the tapeaccording to a predetermined program, it is possible to render thesignal producing means operative automatically and regularly for ringinga bell, or sounding a siren to tell the time, or start and shutoff amachine according to a program. It will be readily understood that theproduction of signals is automatically terminated when the forward endof the operation lever is released from engagement in the signalproducing apertures as the tape is advanced by the sprocket wheel.

lt will also be appreciated that, if two or more sets of the levermechanism and switch for the signal producing means are provided in thedevice and two or more rows of signal producing apertures are formed inthe endless tape while different types of signal producing means such asa siren and bell, are used, or the device is connected to operationsections of different machines, it will be possible to produce differenttypes of signals by using only one device so as, for example. to sound asiren to tell the time and render the machine operative and inoperative.

As aforesaid. this invention is directed to a device which permits toproduce time signals or other signals for rendering a machine operativeand inoperative according to a program in cooperation with a clock. Topermit this invention to be better understood, preferred embodiments ofthe invention will now be described with reference to the accompanydrawings.

FIG. I is a perspective view of the cassette used in this invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the spool mounted in the cassette ofFIG.I;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the spool on which an endless tape iswound;

FIG. 4 is a front view, with certain parts being shown in section, ofthe cassette fully inserted in the cassette receiving portion of thedevice according to this invention;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary front view, with certain parts being brokenaway, of the cassette of FIG. 4, showing the switch of the signalproducing means in an as position;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the cassette partly inserted in the cassetteattaching portion of the device according to this invention;

FIG. 7 is a front view of one example of the operation lever;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of operation lever means used when two signalproducing means are incorporated in the device; and

FIG. 9 is a front view, on an enlarged scale, of the tape used in theembodiment of this invention shown in FIG. 8.

The cassette formed in box shape is generally designated It] andcomprises a spool 13 disposed in an internal portion I I of the cassetteand rotatably supported by a rotary shaft I2. The spool l3 comprises, asshown in FIG. 2, a support post I4 formed therein with a bore forreceiving the rotary shaft 12 therein, a body 15 of an inverted coneshape and a disc 16. An endless tape I7 is wound on the body 15. Theendless tape 17 is drawn out from the innermost convolution of the tapein roll form shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and wound on the outermostconvolution of the roll of tape. The body 15 of the inverted cone shapefacilitates the drawing out of the tape.

The endless tape 17 is formed. as aforementioned, with a multitude oftape advance perforations I8 arranged in a row and disposed in one outermarginal portion thereof and disposed lengthwise of the tape, with theapertures 18 being equidistantly spaced from one another, so that acommercially available 8 mm. movie film can be used as the endless tapel7 as aforementioned. Any tape or other information medium may be usedas the endless tape [7. The endless tape 17 is formed with a pluralityof signal producing apertures 19 as shown in FIG. 3 which are formed inany position as desired for rendering operative the signal producingmeans subsequently to be described for produce time signals or othersignals at predetermined intervals. By forming the signal producingapertures I9 in suitable positions, it is possible to sound a siren forexample, according to a program.

FIG. 9 shows another example of the endless tape used in this inventionwhich is formed with two different types of signal producing apertures19a and 1% arranged lengthwise of the tape in two rows spaced apart asmall distance from each other crosswise of the tape, in addition to thetape advance perforations 18 as in the example described previously. Theprovision of two rows of signal producing small openings 19a and 1%permits to operate two signal producing means separately by means of asingle tape or single program device by recording different pieces ofinformation in two tracks on the tape 17. It is to be understood that,if there are provided three signal producing means, three rows ofdifferent types of signal producing apertures will be formed in the tapeto record information in three tracks. When one tape is intended tocover the operation for 1 day, it is required that the tape be formedwith I,44l perforations 18 so that the spacings between the perforations18 or frames are L440 in number corresponding to the 1,440 minutes in aday; when the tape is intended to cover the operation for halfa-day, itneed only be provided with 720 spacings between the perforations I8 orframes. Thus, it is necessary to adjust the rate of travel of the tapesuch that it is advanced one frame per minute.

The cassette 10 is formed at its bottom with an aperture 20. Provided inthe cassette l0 slightly inwardly of the aperture 20 is a rotatableshaft 21 which supports a sprocket wheel 22 formed on its outerperipheral surface with sprockets for en gaging in the tape advanceperforations 18 in the tape 17. Mounted on the shaft ZI coaxially withthe sprocket wheel 22 is a gear 23 which is disposed outside thecassette 10 to project slightly downwardly below the bottom of thecassette. FIG. 4 shows the manner in which the endless tape 17 isdisposed in the cassette and the manner in which the sprocket wheel 22engages the tape. It will be appreciated from the figure that the tapeis advanced intermittently by the angular rotation of the sprocket wheel22. In FIG. 4, 24 designates a tape guide roll, and 25 a tape guidewall.

In order to effect control of the sounding of the siren at predeterminedtimes by using the cassette constructed as aforementioned, it isnecessary to insert the cassette in the cassette receiving portion ofthe program device where the endless tape can cooperate with a clock. Asshown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the cassette receiving portion has a width whichis slightly larger than the width of the cassette l0 and includes twopairs of guides 26 and 27. The cassette 10 is guided by the guides 26and 27 as it is inserted in the cassette attaching portion of the devicefrom above as seen in the figures. In order to positively hold thecassette I0 in place in the cassette attaching portion, one pair ofguides 27 is provided with a plate spring 28 formed with a bent forwardend portion 29 which is adapted to be received in an opening 30 formedin the corresponding side of the cassette 10 disposed in the correctposition in the cassette attaching portion so as to lock the cassette inplace. A lever 31 is interposed between the cassette [0 and the guides27. If the lever 31 is pushed downwardly when it is desired to withdrawthe cassette from the cassette receiving portion, the lever 31 willpress downwardly the bent forward portion 29 of the plate spring 28against the resilient force thereof to release the forward end portion29 from engagement in the opening 30, thereby permitting withdrawal ofthe cassette without any trouble.

The means for driving the sprocket wheel 22 will now be explained. Sincethe endless tape I7 has a length corresponding to L440 frames (spacingsbetween the tape advance perforations) when it is intended to cover oneday, it is required that the sprocket wheel 22 be intermittently rotatedpositively so as to advance the tape accurately at a rate of one frameper minute. It is essential to advance the tape in this manner in orderto sound the siren to tell the time accurately. To attain the end, meansare provided according to this invention to drive the sprocket wheel 22in cooperation with a clock.

In FIG. 6, there is provided an intermediate drive gear 32 (which is notshown in FIGS. 4 and 5) disposed on the clock side which is adapted tocome into meshing engagement with the gear 23 on the cassette side whenthe cassette 10 is inserted in the cassette receiving portion. By thisarrangement, the sprocket wheel 22 mounted coaxially with the gear 23 onthe shaft 21 can cooperate with the clock through the agency of theintermediate drive gear 32 to advance the endless tape 17 accurately oneframe per minute.

The construction of the lever mechanism and switch on the signalproducing means side will now be explained. In FIGS. 4 and 6, a firstoperation lever 33 is pivotally supported at its base in a suitableposition on the clock side and has an end portion 35 which is maintainedin contact at its underside with the upper surface of a second operationlever 36 likewise pivotally supported at its base in a suitable positionon the clock side. The upper end 34 of the end portion 35 is resilientlymaintained in pressing contact with the outer side of the tape 17 with asmall force at all times. The upper end 34 is yieldably maintained incontact with the tape 17 so as not to interfere with the movementthereof.

The second operation lever 36 normally presses against a movable member38 of a microswitch 37 to urge the same to move downwardly to maintainthe same in an off position.

The movable member 38 is urged by resilient means (not shown) to moveupwardly, so that when the biasing force exerted thereon by the secondoperation lever 36 is removed therefrom, the movable member 38 can moveupwardly to turn on the microswitch to render the signal producing meansoperative.

Normally, the upper end 34 of the end portion 35 of the first operationlever 33 is maintained in pressing contact with the outer side of theendless tape 17, so that the movable member 38 is urged to movedownwardly to maintain the microswitch in an ofi' position (See FIG. 5).However, when the forward end 34 of the first operation lever 33 isreceived in one of the signal producing apertures 19 formed in the tape17, the first and second operation levers 33 and 36 move upwardly topermit the movable member 38 of the microswitch 37 to move upwardly (SeeFIG. 4), so that the microswitch is turned on to automatically renderthe signal producing means operative, thereby sounding a siren to tellthe time or render a machine operative.

It will thus be appreciated that the signal producing means can berendered operative automatically by the program device in cooperationwith a clock according to a program if the signal producing apertures 19are formed in a proper manner in the endless tape 17. That is, if theprogram device according to this invention is used as a device forautomatically producing time signals, then it is possible to accuratelyproduce time signals to tell times accurately by means of a siren orbell by forming the apertures 19 in positions which correspond to thetimes as desired, such as the times of commencement of work, close ofwork, noon recess and the like.

When time signals in the form of siren sounds are to be produced, forexample, it will be natural that the size of the signal producingapertures can be made considerably smaller than the tape advanceperforations 18 because the duration of the signals produced need bethree seconds at the shortest and ten seconds at the longest. It will beunderstood that, when the upper end 34 of the end portion 35 of thefirst operation lever 33 is released from engagement in one of thesignal producing apertures 19 as the endless tape 17 is advanced by thesprocket wheel 22, the first and second operation levers 33 and 36 arepressed downwardly to depress the movable member 38 of the microswitch37 so as to restore the microswitch to its off position again as shownin FIG. 5, thereby rendering the signal producing means inoperative.

In the embodiment described above, the program device according to thisinvention is adapted to produce one type of signals. In another aspectof the invention, two or more types of signals can be produced by asimple construction. This end can be attained by using a plurality ofoperation lever means and an endless tape of the multiple track systemshown schematically in FIGS. 8 and 9. In FIG. 8, two operation levers33a and 33b shown schematically are of the same construction as theaforementioned first operation lever 33. Two levers (shown in phantomlines) corresponding to the aforementioned second lever 36 aremaintained in contact with the undersides of the end portions of thelevers 33a and 33b respectively, the detailed description of the leversbeing omitted. The levers 33a and 33b are formed with upper ends 340 and341: respectively which correspond to the upper end 34 of the firstlever 33. 37a and 37b are microswitches corresponding to the differentsignal producing means, such as a buzzer and a siren, for example.

The levers 33a and 33b operate in the same manner as the first operationlever 33 except that they are received in different rows of signalproducing apertures 19a and 19b as shown in FIG. 9 which are arranged toform a plurality of tracks spaced apart a suitable distance crosswise ofthe tape 17. Thus, this embodiment operates in the same manner as thefirst mentioned embodiment to produce two or more signals to actuate twoor more signal producing means independently of one another inaccordance with their objects by using one endless tape and one programdevice.

Means provided by the present invention for preventing misoperation ofthe program device will now be explained. Such means comprises a safetylever 39 shown in FIGS. 4 and 7. It will be evident from the foregoingdescription that, when the cassette 10 is moved away from the operationlever 33 or when the cassette is not yet fully inserted in the cassetteattaching portion as shown in FIG. 6, the first operation lever 33 is inthe same position as if it were received in one of the signal producingapertures 19 in the endless tape 17, thereby turning on the microswitch37. The provision of the safety lever 39 is effective to prevent thisfrom taking place. The safety lever 39 is pivotally supported coaxiallywith the second operation lever 36 by a shaft 43 connected to a mountingmember 42 disposed on the clock side, and normally urged by a torsionspring (not shown) to move pivotally in the direction of the arrow inFIG. 6. The second operation lever 36 is not subjected to this biasingforce and remains free. When the cassette receiving portion of theprogram device has no cassette inserted therein, a substantiallyL-shaped curved member 40 formed at one end of the safety lever 39presses against the upper surface of the second operation lever 36, witha result that the movable member 38 of the microswitch 37 is pushed andmoved downwardly to maintain the microswitch 37 in an off position. Thisis conducive to the prevention of the signal producing means from beinginadvertently rendered operative.

When the cassette 10 is inserted in the cassette receiving portion, apressed portion 41 fonned at the other end of the safety lever 39 ispressed by the bottom of the cassette 10 so that the safety lever 39 ispivotally moved about the shaft 43 from a position shown in FIG. 6 to aposition shown in FIG. 4, thereby releasing the second operation lever36 from locking engagement with the bent member 40. This renders thefirst and second operation levers 33 and 36 free, so that themicroswitch 37 is not turned on thereafter unless the forward endportion 34 of the first operation lever 33 is engaged in one of the tapeadvance apertures l9.

It is to be understood that two safety levers (not shown) are providedin the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 for the two sets of operation leversrespectively.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 7 will now be explainedv In the embodimentsdescribed above, the first and second operation levers 33 and 36 areused as a set of operation levers. This is intended to cause themicroswitch 37 to operate smoothly by enlarging the action of the firstoperation lever 33 by the second operation lever 36. In the embodimentof FIG. 7, the second operation lever 36 is eliminated and only oneoperation lever 33c is used for turning on and off the microswitch. Inthis case, the bent portion 40 of the aforementioned safety lever 39 isadapted directly to come into and released from engagement with the endportion of the operation lever 33c as shown.

From the foregoing description, it will be appreciated that the programdevice of the cassette type according to this invention is simple inconstruction, reliable in performance and easy to handle. This inventionpermits to use a commercially available 8 mm. film as an endless tape byforming therein a plurality of signal producing apertures in accordancewith a timetable for producing time signals in the form of sounding ofsiren or producing signals to render a machine operative and inoperativeat predetermined times. If such endless tape is contained in a cassetteand the cassette is inserted in the as sette receiving portion of theprogram device, then it is possible to produce signals as programmed.Furthermore, if a plurality of cassettes each containing an endless tapeformed with signal producing perforations arranged to meet therequirement of a particular program, and one of such cassettes may beselected and used for adopting a new program for sounding a siren orrendering a machine operative and inoperative depending on the season orthe type or work required to be done. The program device according tothis invention has many applications.

While the present invention has been described in some detail withreference to preferred embodiments thereof, it is to he understood thatthe invention is not limited to the particular forms of the device shownand described, and that many modifications and changes may be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the Invention.

lclaim:

I. Apparatus for generating time signals, and the like, at

predetermined intervals, which comprises:

a cassette having an endless information storage medium containedtherein, said medium having a plurality of medium-advancing perforationsdisposed at uniform intervals along at least one edge thereof;

a plurality of signal-producing apertures in said medium atpredetermined positions therealong;

a toothed sprocket wheel, rotatably mounted to said cassette, the teeththereof engaging the perforations in said medium;

gear means, engaging said sprocket wheel and connectable to the shafi ofa chronometer, for advancing said medium, in synchronism with thepassage of time in said chronometer;

switch means, connected to external signal-producing apparatus, forgenerating said time signals; and

lever means, having a forward end in pressing engagement with saidmedium, for sensing the presence of said signalproducing apertures, anda rear end, in engagement with said switch means, for energizing saidexternal signalproducing means when one of said apertures is sensed.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

safety means, connected to said lever means, for preventing accidentalclosure of said switch means when said approducing apertures arefunctionally arranged in a plurality of separate and distinct rows insaid medium, and said apparatus further comprises:

a corresponding plurality of switch means, lever means, and safetymeans, the ends of said lever means engaging with respective ones ofsaid rows of signal-producing apertures, whereby a plurality ofsignal-producing apparatuses can be rendered operative separately andindependently of one another.

4. Apparatus according to claim I wherein said lever means comprises:

a first lever having one end thereof in pressing engagement with saidmedium to sense said signal-producing apertures; and

a second lever, mounted for engaging said switch means, said secondlever amplifying the action of said first lever as said first levermoves inwardly of the apertures of said medium.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said infonnation storagemedium comprises a motion picture film.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 including a chronometer for engagementwith said gear means, said chronometer intermittently advancing saidmedium, one frame at a time, in synchronism with the passage of time insaid chronometer.

7. Apparatus according to claim I, wherein said medium is 8 mm moviefilm.

1. Apparatus for generating time signals, and the like, at predeterminedintervals, which comprises: a cassette having an endless informationstorage medium contained therein, said medium having a plurality ofmediumadvancing perforations disposed at uniform intervals along atleast one edge thereof; a plurality of signal-producing apertures insaid medium at predetermined positions therealong; a toothed sprocketwheel, rotatably mounted to said cassette, the teeth thereof engagingthe perforations in said medium; gear means, engaging said sprocketwheel and connectable to the shaft of a chronometer, for advancing saidmedium, in synchronism with the passage of time in said chronometer;switch means, connected to external signal-producing apparatus, forgenerating said time signals; and lever means, having a forward end inpressing engagement with said medium, for sensing the presence of saidsignal-Producing apertures, and a rear end, in engagement with saidswitch means, for energizing said external signal-producing means whenone of said apertures is sensed.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1,further comprising: safety means, connected to said lever means, forpreventing accidental closure of said switch means when said apparatusis energized without said cassette being inserted therein.
 3. Apparatusaccording to claim 2, wherein said signal-producing apertures arefunctionally arranged in a plurality of separate and distinct rows insaid medium, and said apparatus further comprises: a correspondingplurality of switch means, lever means, and safety means, the ends ofsaid lever means engaging with respective ones of said rows ofsignal-producing apertures, whereby a plurality of signal-producingapparatuses can be rendered operative separately and independently ofone another.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said lever meanscomprises: a first lever having one end thereof in pressing engagementwith said medium to sense said signal-producing apertures; and a secondlever, mounted for engaging said switch means, said second leveramplifying the action of said first lever as said first lever movesinwardly of the apertures of said medium.
 5. Apparatus according toclaim 1 wherein said information storage medium comprises a motionpicture film.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 1 including a chronometerfor engagement with said gear means, said chronometer intermittentlyadvancing said medium, one frame at a time, in synchronism with thepassage of time in said chronometer.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 1,wherein said medium is 8 mm movie film.